New Ahmadiyya Mosque opened in Hanau, Germany by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is pleased to announce that on 27 May 2015, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Baitul Wahid Mosque (House of the One God) in the German city of Hanau.

The opening of the new Mosque took place on Khilafat Day – marking 107 years since the institution of Khilafat (Caliphate) was established in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Upon arrival, His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty. His Holiness then led the Zuhr and Asr prayers at the new Mosque before planting a tree at the Mosque premises to further mark the occasion.

In the evening, a special reception, attended by more than 120 dignitaries and guests, was held to mark the opening of the Mosque. Various dignitaries and politicians such as Lord Mayor Claus Kaminsky and members of Germany’s National Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) attended.

The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Germany, Abdullah Wagishauser gave a welcome address, followed by comments from various guest speakers.

Clause Kaminsky, the Lord Mayor of Hanau said:

“I saw that the words Love for All, Hatred for None are displayed in the main hall of this Mosque and I consider this to be a very clear message of peace that you are giving not only to this city, to our society but in fact to the entire world.”

Erich Pipa, District Commissioner said:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has proved itself to be extremely peaceful and tolerant. Your community has been at the forefront of removing the reservations of others about Islam through dialogue and mutual interaction.”

Bettina Muller, Member of Parliament said:

“This Mosque is an extremely positive addition to our area and proves that we can live together in peace and mutual respect. All of us together comprise Germany and it is important that we all understand this.”

Kordula Schulz-Asche, Member of Parliament said:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is officially registered to provide the teachings of Islam within schools in the State of Hessen and this proves you are determined to help our State progress and develop.”

Christine Bucholz, Member of Parliament said:

“I am extremely delighted that the Ahmadi Muslims in this area are now able to practice their faith at this Mosque. This day is a source of happiness for us all.”

Thereafter, the keynote address was delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad during which he praised the people of Hanau for their spirit of open-heartedness and called for the founders of all religions to be respected.

Expressing his gratitude to the local people of Hanau, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The inauguration of this Mosque is a purely religious function and so your attendance proves that you are people who wish to live together in peace. I would therefore like to express my heartfelt sentiments of gratitude to all of you. And my thanks is not uttered merely as a normal moral courtesy, but it is actually an essential part of my faith because the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that a person who is not thankful to mankind is not thankful to God Almighty.”

Praising the people of Hanau for their tolerant nature, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The fact that the people of 127 different races or ethnicities live here in this city where the total population is just 90,000 proves that the people of Hanau are open hearted and tolerant. These are great qualities and I pray that these qualities last forever.”

Referring to the fact that before its conversion into a Mosque, the existing building had been a local supermarket, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Before this building was converted into a Mosque it was home to a supermarket where people would purchase groceries. However, now it has become a House of God where people will join together to worship God Almighty, to care for mankind and to foster peace. Thus this building will now provide love, care and peace for free to our neighbours and indeed to all people.”

Speaking about the need for peace in society, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“What has the world achieved or gained through conflict and disorder? During the World Wars millions of people lost their lives. Thus we should all realise that our joint goal should be a society where all people are able to live side by side in peace and harmony.”

Speaking about how respecting the beliefs of one another was a key element to establishing peace, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“It is the duty of Muslims to respect the Founders of all religions and in the same way we desire for the people of other religions and beliefs to respect the Founder of Islam (peace be upon him). This spirit of mutual respect and regard for the sentiments of others is the means of establishing peace in the world.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded by saying:

“The minarets of this Mosque are not erected for mere beauty or aesthetic reasons, but rather as a symbol of peace and of love for all of mankind. Thus, I pray that may this Mosque prove to be a beacon of peace in the world.”

The formal session concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness followed by dinner.

Later, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad was interviewed by Germany’s national broadcaster RTL Television. During the interview, His Holiness said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was engaged in efforts to promote dialogue and inter-faith harmony throughout the world. Thus, in 2014 the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community organised the Conference of World Religions at the Guildhall in London in order to promote interfaith tolerance and respect at a global level.